Jacksonville – Local History and Places of Remembrance

Jacksonville is a destination for anyone who would like to discover local history during a family trip. Topics range from its early relationship with Jacksontown to the history of the Black Loyalists, as well as the cemetery and war memorial. This lets you make different aspects of the community the focus of your travel interests.

Beginnings and Community History

Jacksonville was founded around 1818 and originally belonged to the neighbouring community of Jacksontown. Those interested in the town's beginnings will therefore encounter two names: Jacksonville and the community it initially belonged to. This early connection is a distinct part of local history.

More than 200 years ago, free Black Loyalists migrated from Nova Scotia to the Jacksonville area. Another connection to their history can be found on the grounds of Lower Jacksonville Cemetery: there are 26 unmarked graves of descendants of the Black Loyalists who once attended the small Free Baptist Church. Migration and religious community life are therefore among the historical themes found in Jacksonville.

Since November 21, 1860, the Jacksonville Baptist Church congregation has played a role in the local community life of Jacksonville, New Brunswick. A larger church was built in 1860 near the site of today's Jacksonville United Baptist Church. It was intended to accommodate churchgoers travelling to Jacksontown by horse and wagon. This story focuses not only on the congregation but also on the routes churchgoers used at the time.

Lower Jacksonville Cemetery has 165 headstones bearing 324 names from 72 local families. These figures give the cemetery a distinct connection to local family history. Together with the 26 unmarked graves of descendants of the Black Loyalists, they show how different historical themes come together here: the names of local families, as well as the remembrance of people whose ancestors had migrated from Nova Scotia.

Another place of remembrance is the Jacksonville Soldiers' Monument. It is believed to be the first monument in Carleton County honouring soldiers who died in the First World War. Its dedication provides a distinct focus alongside the local and family history of the cemetery: here, the remembrance of those who fell in that war takes centre stage.

History and Leisure Interests

Those primarily interested in Jacksonville and its historical development will find several points of interest in its founding, community history, and places of remembrance. Another leisure option is Woodstock Bowlacade, which offers traditional five-pin bowling and arcade games. If you would like to consider these kinds of leisure activities alongside cultural history when planning your trip, these are two specific activities to choose from.

When choosing a vacation rental, you can specifically consider Jacksonville if its local history and places of remembrance match your travel interests. This lets you choose a destination for its cultural and historical character. Whether you also want to plan bowling or arcade games is a separate matter of how you spend your leisure time.

More Destinations

Find more destinations in Hartland, Florenceville-Bristol, Wilmot, Centreville, and Wakefield.

For the broader travel overview: Carleton County.